VICTORIA – The
Professional Builders’ Institute (PBI) has been established to raise the bar of
professionalism in the residential construction industry and protect consumers
in British Columbia, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social
Development.

“The Province, the residential
construction industry and consumers are unified in their desire to further
enhance the requirements for residential builder licensing,” said Coleman. “Our
continued commitment to support improvements in the quality of residential
construction helps protect new homebuyers across B.C.”

The PBI was formed by the
residential construction industry in collaboration with the Province as a
result of recommendations provided by an industry task group. The institute was
established in anticipation of further steps being taken to develop a system of
minimum education and training requirements as a condition of obtaining and
maintaining a residential builder licence.

Created as an independent body
comprised of broad representation from the residential construction industry,
the PBI will provide services to BC Housing, which is responsible for licensing
residential builders following the recent transfer of the Homeowner Protection
Office (HPO).

Services provided
will be related to the anticipated introduction of minimum qualifications for
licensed residential builders constructing or selling one- to four-unit
residential buildings and will include evaluating:

·Applications for accreditation of education and
training providers and programs.

·Specific courses offered by accredited
providers.

·The currency of standards, educational
benchmarks and continuing professional development requirements.

Stephen Torrence, former
executive director of the Construction Safety Network, has been appointed as
chief executive officer by the PBI. In mid-October, Torrence will start
developing the accreditation processes necessary to support the implementation
of minimum qualifications.

“We are pleased that our vision
of an industry-led institute for the accreditation of future courses and
programs counting toward anticipated minimum qualifications for licensed
residential builders is coming about,” said Bob Deeks, chair of the PBI board and
president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia, who
will also serve on a steering committee established to review operating costs
and collaborate on strategies related to professionalism of the industry.
Representation on the steering committee will include senior members of the PBI
and BC Housing.

Start up funding for the PBI
will come from the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), a branch of BC Housing,
with ongoing operations funded through PBI’s accreditation fees.

The HPO will continue to
perform its responsibilities established under the Homeowner Protection Act
including licensing more than 5,300 residential builders in the province, and
research and education benefiting the industry and consumers.

-30-

Media Contact:

Sam Rainboth

BC Housing

604 439-4789

For more information on government services
or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s
website at www.gov.bc.ca.